Phishing is the act by a fraudster of sending email that claims to be from a well-known organisation, e.g. Standard Bank, to trick the recipient into revealing information for use in identity theft. The recipient is told to visit a web site where they are asked to enter information such as passwords, credit card details or bank account numbers. The web site usually looks like it belongs to the organisation in question and, after collecting your information, may silently redirect the recipient to the real organisation’s web site after collecting their data.

Please take extra precautions when transacting over the Internet. Remember, it is safer to type Standard Bank’s web address (www.standardbank.co.za) into your browser instead of clicking on a link in an email.

Never pass on your personal information like card numbers and PINs to third parties. We will never ask you to divulge your personal details. You must start viewing certain emails with the same amount of suspicion as you would the person standing behind you in an ATM queue. Your personal details are just as vulnerable in cyber space as they are in the real world if the correct precautions are not taken.

We remain committed to protecting the integrity of your personal details, however, we urge you to ensure that you have also taken effective security measures when transacting over the Internet.

We encourage you to make use of our free security and authentication offerings. However, you need to remain vigilant to ensure your privacy and assets are protected.

You are urged to adopt the following security features and practices:

• Treat unsolicited email with suspicion
• We will never ask you to divulge sensitive information. If you receive an email that appears to be from us asking you for this information, please do not provide your details and alert us immediately
• One-time password is a unique, compulsory and time-sensitive password used as added security on selected Internet banking transactions. The password will be sent to you by email or SMS and is valid for one Internet banking session. This service is free.
• My Notification is an email or SMS service that informs you when profile amendments, new beneficiary additions, amendments to existing beneficiaries and once-off payments are carried out on Internet banking. This means that if there is any unauthorised activity on your Internet banking profile, you will be able to pick it up quickly.
• Payment confirmation is a notification that informs both the payer and payee that a transfer or payment has been successfully completed.
• We are the only local bank to offer McAfee Antivirus software free to all our Internet banking customers. You can download the antivirus and firewall software directly from our Internet banking website.

Please continue to play your part in ensuring your online security by protecting the secrecy of your PINs and passwords.

If you feel that your personal details may have been compromised, contact us immediately on 0800 020 600 or +27 11 299 4114 , if you are calling from outside South Africa. Our lines are open 24 hours a day. Or email us at Standardbank-e-mailunit@standardbank.co.za.